Brisbane mourns, apologises for fate of French lady Sophie Collombet

Robert Burgin

Mourners drop off Flowers at the site where Sophie Collombet was found. Photo: Harrison Saragossi

If only Sophie Collembet had known how much her adopted city held her in its heart.

And how willingly many would have stepped in to protect her from harm's way.

Flowers, cards, photos and candles now adorn the South Brisbane rotunda where the 21-year-old French student lost her life in an all-too-abrupt manner 10 days ago.

While police and the public continued to scour for the person or persons responsible for the act, there were others who simply needed to mourn.

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An informal shrine at riverside Kurilpa Park grows by the day with gifts of remembrance and strikingly heartfelt notes - some from those who never met the wide-eyed young lady a world away from home.

Their messages plunge the full fathom of emotions.

Flowers and message at the site where Sophie Collombet was found. Photo: Harrison Saragossi

There is, of course, an unrelenting agony for many.

For others, there lingers a sense of shame and despair - apologetic that Brisbane could provide such a grim conclusion to a life of promise.

Someone's daughter, someone's girlfriend, found naked and beaten just a short walk from the centre of town.

Flowers and message in both French and English at Kurilpa Park. Photo: Harrison Saragossi

"I'm sorry your life was lost in our city," reads one solemn card written in pencil.

"I hope you're at peace now."

While it is only the dark creature which took her life that need say sorry, apologising is a gesture that clearly weighs on the conscience of many residents.

Messages at the site where Sophie Collombet was found. Photo: Harrison Saragossi

"For Sophie, thinking of you and your family. So unfair," another has written.

While Sophie's parents have indicated they will not fly to Australia, instead waiting for her return home, there are attempts to reach out to those feeling the pain most.

"I do not know your daughter. I just want you as a mother to know how much that I care," one lady has offered.

"You are in my heart and prayers.

"So sorry."

From those in Sophie's immediate friendship and study circle there are brief insights to her character and passions.

They are glimpses into a life that deserved another chapter.

"Sophie you will find the mountains you loved so much," says one card in French, also wishing her lasting peace.

"In our hearts forever."

The same card contains another message, referencing the stunning facial features by which she was instantly recognised - and will remain remembered.

"Your beautiful shining eyes and your infectious smile will be forever in everyone's hearts," it says.

"Rest in peace lovely girl, you will never be forgotten."

18 comments

Murder is the ultimate crime against individuals and the community. Then there is the ongoing fear and sadness that endures in the public long after the perpertrators are caught. I am tired of the courts giving leniency to these animals when they showed none to their innocent victims. The dead don't get a second chance. Their loved ones suffer unbearably. Enough is enough. The current system is not a sufficient deterent. When you take a life you should forfeit your own - there is no way that restritution can bring back the life that was brutally, painfully and prematurely extinguished. Murderers have demonstrated that they care nothing for the fabric that binds us together as a compassionate society. Yet it is ironic that they are judged with more consideration, more options than thier victims received and get a chance for redemption. I do not hate the man who commited this terrible crime, but I would willingly take responsibility for ending his time on this earth. Savage animals are euthanased because they are a risk, savage humans deserve no more dignity or respect.

Commenter

DMo

Location

Ipswich

Date and time

April 06, 2014, 9:40AM

WOW! Guess I won't be going to Queensland anytime soon.

Commenter

Astroboy sunny

Location

Sydney

Date and time

April 06, 2014, 12:02PM

I don't care if the murderer dies, but the system can't be what kills him. The system cannot be emotional. It must remain cold and objective. If not, it becomes the mob.

Commenter

hmm

Date and time

April 06, 2014, 12:44PM

I agree with DMo that those who have by their actions shown themselves to be a danger to civilised society need to be put down like the mad dogs that they are. Whoever murdered Sophie is clearly such a creature.It costs the taxpayer $300 a day (roughly) to keep this sort of scum locked away, so that at some time in the future a bleeding-heart parole board (the members of which are immune from the consequences of their actions) can release these dangerous psychopaths back into society.No!The Chinese system of dragging them screaming into the courtyard of the court building and shooting them in the head is the only way to ensure public safety. I would much rather spend the $300 a day on hospital care, or education, or something else that is socially productive. Warehousing criminal scum who will prey upon society again is not a productive use of money.

Commenter

CarlT

Location

crazy old cat man

Date and time

April 06, 2014, 1:02PM

We hope not Astroboy Sunny

Commenter

Grantleyd

Date and time

April 06, 2014, 1:19PM

One of the most repulsive aspects of this murder has been the voyeuristic glee with which the press have turned it into a ghoulish festival. The ever-vile Courier Mail is the main offender, but to a lesser extent all of the others have indulged as well. Pretty young women and murder, what fun.

Commenter

Hermocrates

Location

Syracuse

Date and time

April 06, 2014, 2:32PM

"...but I would willingly take responsibility for ending his time on earth."

My nan used to warn me that there's no shortage of people who'd be too enthusiastic to pull the hangman's lever so long it is not their neck in the noose.

Commenter

WhiskyTangoFoxtrot

Date and time

April 06, 2014, 4:31PM

Brisbane what is happening? we've had four international students killed in less than a year. This isn't how we should be. This isn't my city. We can't become a cesspool of violence and hate and fear. We need more safety. more lights, cameras, patrols. No, it won't stop murders, rapes and assaults from happening but will limit the number of opportunties these freaks have to commit the crimes.

Commenter

Noodlebat

Date and time

April 06, 2014, 11:39AM

A lot of xenophobic rhetoric coming from Canberra and the media for the last ten years, permeating through society. Bigotry finds validation. Value of foreigners lives decreases. In the wrong minds, we get recent events. Horrible, but not surprising.

Commenter

wider view

Date and time

April 06, 2014, 12:49PM

@wider view - I doubt that the murderer asked her if she was French before savagely attacking her...or if she was foreign for that matter. At least one of the other international student murders..(possibly two) were committed by an offender from the same culture as the victim...so the foreigner xenophobic theory is blown out of the water.

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